UF College of Nursing issued the following announcement on Nov. 8.
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we spoke to Lisa Scarton, PhD, RN, assistant professor in the Family, Community and Health Systems Science department at the College of Nursing and a member of the Choctaw Nation, to learn about her research and how she celebrates her heritage. Scarton’s research focuses on Type 2 diabetes and cancer-related health disparities in underserved populations, with a special focus on American Indian populations. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the Gator Chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, a UF student organization dedicated to promoting Indigenous cultures.
What does Native American Heritage Month mean to you?
As we proudly say in my Choctaw language “Chahta sia hoke!” I am Choctaw! I am proud to be Choctaw, and I am proud of my tribe. I embrace and honor my culture every day through sharing our traditions and through the strength of the Choctaw people.
How do you celebrate your heritage during this month or otherwise?
For me, celebrating my heritage through recognizing and honoring the rich and diverse American Indian cultures and traditions is not a singular event nor a one-month experience. It is part of who I am. Throughout the year, I attend local events and regional/national presentations and reflect upon my heritage through meditation and storytelling with my family.
What led you to become a nurse researcher?
As a child, I helped my grandmother care for family members within our community, and as an adult I provided care for my grandmother. I saw first-hand the negative impact Type 2 diabetes had on family and community members. As a health disparities nurse researcher, I want to help American Indians and people of color move toward health equity. Racial and ethnic minorities experience profound health disparities grounded in historical trauma, discrimination, lack of access to health care and inadequate access to food. My goal is to develop interventions that will lead to health equity and improved health outcomes.
How do you encourage the next generation of students of Indigenous cultures?
After first arriving at UF in 2016, I wanted to connect with other Indigenous faculty and students. In 2019, I was approached to serve as a faculty advisor for the Gator Chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, or Gator AISES, the sole UF student organization dedicated to promoting Indigenous cultures.
Gator AISES empowers Indigenous students to succeed in their science and engineering-related classes, as well as remain connected to their cultural heritage through dance presentations, guest panelists and community service events. I am proud to serve as a mentor for Indigenous students, helping them create a community at UF.
Scarton has not only made a difference through her research, she is also helping students to see what is possible for their futures. Here, Mikaela David-John, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences family, youth and community sciences alumna and Gator AISES co-adviser, shares how Scarton has influenced her:
“Having Dr. Scarton as a mentor is an inspiration. Even though we come from different tribes, sharing a cultural connection with her is incredibly powerful — it shows me I can do what I previously thought was impossible and follow her footsteps to become a faculty member too. I found my way through the Gator AISES family and through Dr. Scarton empowering us to pursue our future careers.”
Original source can be found here.
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